Summer letter 2018

Jeff’s Corner: Notes from the Geographic Trustee

With summer finally here, we have so many things to celebrate from the past year at the University of Washington. We continue to earn top 20 placements in several prestigious global university rankings and recognition for innovation and overall academic excellence. In everything from outstanding research accomplishments to UW’s Peace Corps volunteers, UW shines in so many ways. And I would be remiss if I did not mention the outstanding spring our athletic teams enjoyed — among the highlights, our women’s softball, women’s crew and men’s crew teams all garnered national championship runner-up finishes, and our men’s baseball team earned their first ever trip to the College World Series!

Several exciting chapter events occurred during the spring months. Here in the Bay Area, more than 60 Bay Area Huskies descended on Oracle Arena to cheer on the NBA champion Golden State Warriors and enjoy a reception with team COO and President Rick Welts, ’75. Our Los Angeles/Orange County alumni chapter reprised their annual Husky Day of Service by volunteering with Valley Village, a non-profit organization that serves adults with developmental disabilities. Back at the Seattle campus, parents and families from all over Husky Nation gathered for a weekend of fun-filled activities with their Husky students during Parent & Family Weekend.

My wife Amy and I had the honor of attending the 45th annual New York chapter salmon barbecue on June 16. We had a wonderful time catching up with our great alumni from all over the Tri-State area. The next day, June 17, our DC chapter hosted their annual salmon barbecue for alumni from the Beltway and throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

We have a number of fun events continuing throughout the summer. Of particular note, our Oregon Huskies will be gathering in Beaverton on July 7 for an event with a uniquely Oregon twist — they’ll meet at the BG Food Cartel food cart pod! Our Southern California Huskies will be gathering for their annual barbecue for alumni and friends across the Southland on July 29. And when I think barbecue — I think Texas! Our Houston Huskies will show us how it’s done with their barbecue on August 4.

Before we know it, fall will be here, and please don’t forget — our Huskies kick off the 2018 football season with a gigantic game in Atlanta vs. Auburn on Saturday, September 1. Tickets and travel packages are now available!

I want to close by sharing a quick story from my time in New York. After the barbecue, Amy and I took the train from Connecticut back to Manhattan with Elisa Pupko-Pope, one of our NY chapter volunteers. After our train trip filled with great conversation, we parted ways, and Amy and I headed out for the evening, eventually visiting the UW fan bar, Feile, to watch our Huskies in the College World Series. While at the bar, we met a couple of fellow Dawg fans in purple who happened to be in town visiting from Chicago. We had a great time watching the game, sharing stories, talking Husky sports and chatting all things UW. It just goes to show that wherever you are in the world, there may be fellow Huskies nearby, so wear that purple proudly and you, too, will make new friends!

Until next time, enjoy your summer! Please take a moment to visit the UWAA events website at http://uwalum.com/events to learn about all of the great upcoming events that we have on deck. As always, I am yours in purple and gold! Go Dawgs!